In a harrowing case that has stunned the community of Davidsonville, Maryland, two high school seniors, Jonah Michael Poole and Kylee Alyssa Dakes, both aged 18, are facing serious charges for the brutal killing of 67-year-old Edward Stephen Koza.
Koza, a well-known local businessman and owner of Tropic Bay Water Gardens, a koi pond business, was allegedly trapped, bound, and burned alive inside his own truck. The case unfolded over a series of days, involving surveillance footage, forensic clues, and investigative doggedness that led authorities to a chilling conclusion: the attack was not random but disturbingly calculated.
A Horrifying Scene and the Start of the Investigation
The tragedy began on the evening of May 24, when emergency responders were called to Edward Stephen Koza’s business around 9:25 p.m. They found a horrifying sight — Koza’s pickup truck completely engulfed in flames in the parking lot. Inside the charred vehicle was the severely burned body of a man whose hands and arms were bound with tape, and his mouth covered.
Although initial identification was difficult due to the condition of the remains, authorities noted a missing thumb and general physical stature that matched Edward Koza.
Evidence at the scene immediately suggested foul play. A melted plastic gas can spout was located near the truck, indicating that an accelerant had been used. Nearby, police also discovered a baseball cap branded with the logo of Bass Pro Shops. This cap would later become one of the key pieces of evidence tying the suspects to the crime.
Investigators combed through Koza’s koi pond business and found signs of a struggle inside. Items had been knocked over, and there was blood on a plastic bag next to a rock display, suggesting the altercation had begun within the business before culminating in the horrific arson attack.
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Surveillance footage showed Koza’s truck being driven to a nearby gas station around 9 p.m., where a female was seen entering and paying for fuel with two five-dollar bills. A male was in the driver’s seat, distinguishable by a flannel shirt and a Bass Pro Shop cap — the same type found at the crime scene.
From Baseball Cap to Arrests: The Trail to the Suspects
The seemingly small detail of a baseball cap left at the crime scene became the foundation of a trail that would ultimately lead to Poole and Dakes. According to charging documents, the teenagers had gone to the Arundel Mills Bass Pro Shop earlier that day to purchase clothing and a hat — the same style found at the scene.
Further evidence began to mount. An “acquaintance” of Edward Stephen Koza reported seeing his truck missing from the property around 6 p.m. on the day of the crime, with a red car, possibly a Lincoln, parked outside. This small observation provided investigators with a crucial timeframe and raised suspicion about who had been at the business premises during that period.
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Police matched surveillance footage from the gas station with prom photos of Jonah Poole, where he was wearing similar attire. Both Poole and Dakes were identified as seniors at Southern High School in Anne Arundel County. Their relationship was described as romantic, and the two were well-known in their local school community. However, the nature of their alleged actions that evening has left classmates and teachers stunned.
The arrest occurred on Saturday, two days before Koza’s death was confirmed. By that point, the investigation had pieced together enough evidence, including surveillance videos, physical items, and witness testimony, to support charges of murder, conspiracy, and arson.
Both Poole and Dakes were held without bail, missing their scheduled high school graduation ceremony. A previously unconnected burglary at Pirates Cove restaurant, which took place a week before the murder, has also been linked to Poole, adding another layer of criminal behavior to the case.
Unanswered Questions and a Community in Shock
While the evidence presented by police appears compelling, many critical questions remain unanswered — foremost among them, the motive behind such a gruesome and calculated act. Investigators have not yet determined whether Edward Stephen Koza knew his assailants or what led Poole and Dakes to allegedly commit such a brutal murder.
Justin Mulcahy of the Anne Arundel County Police Department stated that the motive and cause of death remain under investigation. “We just don’t know the motive right now, so we’re still looking into that,” he told reporters. “We’re trying to ascertain exactly what led up to this — why they were there in the area, there at this business.”
Public defenders for both teens have pushed back against the charges, arguing that the evidence is circumstantial. Poole’s lawyer stated there is “no tangible physical evidence” linking him directly to the murder. Dakes’ attorney made an emotional appeal for bail, pointing out her academic standing and honors.
“She was supposed to be graduating at 1:30 today with honors,” her lawyer said. “There is no motive, no evidence, no statement, no confession, and no reason she would do anything like this.” Despite these pleas, the judge denied bail for both defendants.
For many in the community, especially the families affected and classmates of the accused, the story is nothing short of surreal. Edward Stephen Koza was known as a kind, hardworking man with a passion for koi ponds and aquatic landscaping. His death not only marks the end of a local business legacy but has left residents grappling with the brutal nature of the crime and the young age of the alleged perpetrators.
The case continues to develop, and further revelations are expected as forensic evidence is processed and more witness statements are gathered. The disturbing nature of the crime — a man allegedly abducted, bound, driven around, and then burned alive — has deeply unsettled Anne Arundel County and beyond.
As investigators work to uncover the full truth, the community remains in mourning for a man described as gentle and generous, and in disbelief that such violence could come from within its own youth.